Proprietary School Certification

The following provides information for individuals and institutions that want to offer postsecondary education in Missouri, schools currently approved to operate, and students and prospective students.  The central focus of the Proprietary School Certification Program is consumer protection. This is accomplished through the establishment of standards for school operation and monitoring of those operations to ensure students are treated in a fair and equitable manner and receive education and training consistent with the published objectives of the instructional programs and the school. Use the links below and on the right to access the most commonly used pages, including how to apply for initial approval to operate in Missouri.

New School Approval Process

Interested in starting a new school? The following guides and examples are to help users complete the initial application for starting a new school:

Exemption

Certain types of schools are not subject to the certification program requirements. Exemption, as this status is called, must be granted by the MDHEWD based on the submission of an application. 

Missouri Business Portal

The state's business portal provides information about other requirements for starting a business in Missouri such as registration, filings, licenses, and permits required by other agencies.

Missouri Small Business Development Council

The Missouri Small Business Development Council offers personalized services to help start a business in Missouri.

MOSourceLink

This is a small business resource for the state of Missouri. MOSourceLink provides a monthly newsletter highlighting tips and trends to help small businesses.

 

Recertification 2025 - 2026

The annual certification period for schools is July 1 - June 30. Each certified school must recertify its authorization to operate each year. The next recertification cycle opens January 1, 2025. Complete applications are due by March 15, 2025. Failure to submit the complete recertification application will result in late fees. 

Currently Certified Schools

If you have credentials for the EDvera system, you may log in. MDHEWD staff have developed an EDvera User Manual for Certified Schools to assist in preparing and submitting required documents.

Proprietary School Fees

 

Application for Certification*$660
Application for Exemption $100
Application to Establish a Branch Campus$500
Application to Establish an Extension Site$100 
New Program Review$500
Continuing Education (up to 15 programs)$100
Continuing Education (more than 15 programs)$500
Substantive Change Review$250

Non-Substantive Change Review 

(Program Name, CIP Code, Tuition, Fee, Books only)

No Charge
Change of Ownership, Name, or Location $100
Student Record Verification (per copy)$10
Late Fee (per day)**$10

*The Application for Certification fee will be credited toward the applicant school's initial certification fee of $660. 

**Late fees are charged per day (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) and will not exceed a maximum of $1,500. Late fees are assessed on certified schools that fail to respond, within a time frame to be stated in official correspondence, to the department's request for information or documentation related to recertification, grievances, department site visits, or probation. 

NOTE: Certified schools are responsible for travel expenses for all members of a department on-site review team when such review is scheduled in response to concerns raised by accreditors, students, or the general public. 

Unaccredited, degree-granting schools seeking certification to operate in Missouri may be required to undergo a site visit by department staff and external consultants with expertise in higher education. The applicant school is responsible for all reasonable costs associated with the site visit. 

Reporting a Change in Ownership

Provided below are the general steps required for verifying and reporting a change in ownership. The below guidance is intended to be generally helpful for any potential change in ownership.

  1. Reporting a Change in Ownership via Merger, Sale, or Transfer:
    1. A combination of the following documentation would constitute proof of the change of ownership.  Some of these documents must be filed with the Missouri Secretary of State, and some are also required to be notarized, or be validated through some other lawful authority relevant to the type of document being produced (such as by attorney, credible financial institution, county official, etc.).
      1. Purchase Agreement (if sold)
      2. Bill of Sale (if sold)
      3. Acquisition of Control (if acquired, with or without monetary exchange)
      4. Assignment Agreement (if transferred, no monetary exchange)
      5. Articles of Consolidation (if merged, but both survive)
      6. Articles of Merger (if merged, only one survives)
      7. Notarized New Deed or New Lease Agreement (if any of the above)
      8. Tax Filings with Missouri Department of Revenue (if any of the above)
    2. The corresponding documentation to the actual method of change in ownership must be submitted with a letter on official school letterhead and be addressed to the Office of Postsecondary Policy, requesting this office amend Department records, and declare to this office the true legal name and any potential dba/fictitious name change, and the new corporation/company in ownership of the school assets.
    3. For assistance in reporting a change in ownership to the Missouri Secretary of State, please contact their office by sending an inquiry to corporations@sos.mo.gov or by calling them at (573) 751-4153 or toll free at (866) 223-6535.
    4. School must file a Notice of Change of Ownership and abide by the relevant prescribed steps in the Change of Ownership Checklist.  There is a fee for this filing in the amount of $100.  As part of the process, the company/corporation that has assumed ownership is also required to pay the recertification fee if they assume ownership before July 1st of the next recertification period.  Please contact Leslie Winter for more information about recertification requirements.
    5. School must log into EDvera and complete a Name and Location Change Application by following the below steps to officially report the new name.  There will be a filing fee for this application in the amount of $100.
      1. Log into EDvera
      2. Click on the Documents tab in the blue ribbon
      3. Click on +Start Document dropdown menu
      4. Click on Name and Location Change Application
      5. Follow the on-screen instructions
    6. New owner of the school must amend all official publications that will be issued or provided to new Missouri students upon assuming control, including but not limited to the catalog, enrollment agreement, and transcript, to reflect the new owner’s branding, policies, and procedures.  If the change in ownership will occur prior to July 1st of the next recertification period, the publications must be attached to the current period’s Recertification Application on file in EDvera, to be reviewed and approved as part of the standard annual Recertification Application process.  Please contact Leslie Winter for more information about recertification requirements.

MDHEWD is not able to provide specific advice/counsel on legal procedures for the merger, sale, or transfer of assets that would typically be provided by a licensed practicing attorney or business consultant.  This general information is reflective of Missouri regulatory/statutory requirements.

Closed School Transcript Information

The Proprietary School Certification Program strives to maintain information on closed schools in Missouri. In some instances, the Department maintains the actual records although it make no claims for having records in their entirety.

If your records are available from the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, you will be directed to submit $10 (payable via electronic payment, check, or money order) for each official transcript. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development.  Do not submit payment unless you have been advised your records are available at the DHEWD.

CDL Schools Information

Schools offering or seeking to offer entry-level CDL programs must ensure policies meet or exceed the minimum guidelines established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Failure to meet minimum standards may result in denial of these programs by the Department.  

Consumer Information

Consumer information about this sector of education, including a closed school FAQ and information on how to choose a school.

Colleges and Degrees

Information about a Missouri postsecondary education institution or programs offered in Missouri.

Planning & Paying For College

Information about how to plan for college and resources about grants & scholarships and other forms of financial aid. 

Journey to College

Resources to help students throughout their higher education journey. 

Site Visits

Proprietary School Certification Program staff conduct regular on-site evaluations of schools. These evaluations include interviews with faculty and staff, observation of classes and school operations, surveys of students and graduates, and reviews of institutional and student records.

Regulations

Missouri statutes authorize the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to develop and administer, through the MDHEWD, rules and regulations for the oversight of proprietary schools in the state.

Rules for Certification of Proprietary Schools - Code of State Regulations (CSR)

6 CSR 10-5.010 https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/6csr/6c10-5.pdf (effective on July 31, 2024)

For more information about starting a school in Missouri visit the New School Approval Process: https://dhewd.mo.gov/higher-education/psc/edvera

Missouri Statutes for Certification

The rules and regulations for the proprietary school certification program are based on the authority granted to the MDHEWD in sections 173.600 through 173.619 of the Revised Missouri Statutes. The standards and criteria contained in these statutory provisions provide the framework for the program requirements.

Missouri Revised Statutes

Other Information

It is important to note that the term "proprietary" in the title of this program is somewhat ambiguous. Although private, for-profit schools are within the jurisdiction of the program and comprise the largest number of certified schools, tax status is not the central factor in determining whether a particular school is subject to the requirements of the program and must submit an application.